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Drug Take-Back Day set for Saturday

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Great Falls-area residents can drop their unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs off at the Montana Highway Patrol district office on 14th Street North.

Montanans across the state will participate on Saturday in the second prescription drug take-back day event of the year, as law enforcement officials hope to raise awareness about clearing unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs from their homes.

Great Falls-area residents who want to discard their unused prescription drugs can do so at the Montana Highway Patrol office throughout the year, but Oct. 28 is designed as National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

"In the previous Take-Back events held in April, over 4,300 pounds of prescription drugs were safely disposed of at 25 collections sites across Montana," Attorney General Tim Fox said in a press release. "While those numbers indicate great participation, I know we can do even better this Saturday."

"Our state is in the midst of a substance abuse epidemic, and prevention efforts are vital. Prescription drugs that sit in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to abuse, misuse, and diversion. I encourage all Montanans to proactively dispose of their unused and expired prescription drugs at a Take-Back day locations on Oct. 28 or at a permanent drug take-back box near them."

According to a press release from the DOJ, studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Throwing drugs away or flushing them down the toilet are considered potential safety and health hazards, the release states.

Officials reported collecting 450 tons of prescription drugs at 5,498 collection sites at the event in April. Since the event began seven years ago, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency has collected more than 8.1 million pounds, or more than 4,050 tons, of pills.

The Montana Highway Patrol office is located 812 14th Street North, Great Falls.